The cold and biting wind on the early morning of Saturday, September 16 didn’t keep the athletes away from the annual TYathlon sprint triathlon. Nearly 170 participants lowered themselves into the choppy water of Lake Mahopac at 7:00 am to begin the swim portion of the tri. Once back on land and a short run to their bikes, the race continued with two laps on the winding roads around beautiful Lake Mahopac. Scattered throughout the course were loyal volunteers cheering on the athletes and ensuring their safety. In no time at all, the competitors sped into the transition area, the bikes were hoisted back onto their racks and the competitors took off on foot to complete the 5K leg of the race. As always, it was inspiring to see seasoned, elite athletes as well as first time triathletes crossing the finish line, grabbing their medals and congratulating each other.
As the triathlon came to a close, and before the family-friendly 5K kicked off, Ty’s dad, Louis Campbell, spoke a few words to the athletes and their families. He thanked them for their continued support and reflected on the precariousness of life, reminding everyone to never take a single day for granted.
As the wind calmed and the sun began to shine, the 5K starting horn blew and the race was on! Some took off like a bullet, some kept a leisurely pace, while others walked – pushing their children and grandchildren in strollers. There were smiles all around as participants crossed the finish line and received their medals.
Thanks to our participants we raised another $40,000 for crucial pediatric cancer research. We are already looking forward to TYathlon 2024!